The old television show “To Tell The Truth” featured a panel of four celebrities whose objective is to correctly identify  a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or has undergone an unusual experience. This “central character” is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character. The celebrity panelists question the three contestants; the impostors are allowed to lie, but the central character is sworn “to tell the truth”. After questioning, the panel attempts to identify which of the three challengers is telling the truth and is thus the central character.

The show expects people to lie…and lie very well. The challengers get paid if they fool the judges into believing the lies. Satan is like that. Instead of two other contestants lying to convince the panelists that they are the real person, we have the devil and our pasts which try to convince us that we aren’t really who we say we are. But the best part – instead of having a group of celebrities question every one and vote – we have the Creator of the Universe, our heavenly Father, who declares who we are for all to hear…we just need to believe it. Because HE really is telling the truth.

What is the Truth?

Most of the time we believe certain things about ourselves based upon our experiences, or things people have said to us or about us. On the surface, those things may appear to be true, but usually, we believe lies about ourselves.

For instance: I used to think that I was mediocre, just average. I talked about my “mousy brown” hair (before it was this beautiful silver), and being overweight. I refused to believe it when someone said I was pretty…because that isn’t what I saw in the mirror. I was average in sports talent, less than average in musical talent and certainly not particularly special. I “faked” confidence because inside I was trembling and scared that people would see the “real” me…a phony. I thought if people really knew me, they wouldn’t like me…so I stayed on the sidelines and watched others do talented and successful things…all the time, wishing I was brave enough to get out there and try something big.

When I became a Christian, I didn’t automatically change my thinking. It has taken the unconditional love of my heavenly Father; love and words of affirmation from my husband and then making the choice to believe the truth and not the enemy’s lies about me – all have combined to help me see myself as I truly am…and as you are too.

Who you are in Christ is all that matters…

But let’s look at a few of the lies the enemy of our souls would like us to believe…

Lie #1 – Satan tells us that we are sinners because we sin

Yes – we were sinners, but the blood of Jesus washed away our sins when we asked Jesus to be our Savior. We are no longer sinners, but saints because God has declared us righteous through the blood of Jesus.

1 John 1:7 –  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

When God looks at us, He doesn’t see our sin, He sees an adopted son or daughter, brought into the Kingdom of God through His only Son’s sacrifice. You are no longer a sinner – You are a child of God.

Lie #2 – Satan says our identity comes from what we have done.

He wants us to believe that if we were cheaters, liars, thieves, adulterers, cowards before we accepted Christ, than that is still who we are…but that is a lie.

We are not those things any longer. Our identity is not what we used to do…God’s Word says our identity comes from what Jesus did for us. Instead of a liar, I am now a member of Christ’s Body…instead of a cheat, I am now redeemed and forgiven…instead of a coward, afraid of everyone, I am now a friend of God. And I am free from any condemnation – one translation says I no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.

“The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 (The Message)

Romans 8:1-2 – There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,^[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

You are free – no longer chained to the lie that we are what we have done in the past.

Ok – here’s Lie #3 – The devil says your identity comes from what other people say about you.

We’ve all believed this at some point or another. I had coaches who told me I was average…a good teammate but never good enough. I had classmates who told me I was too smart to be their friend…I wasn’t any fun. I wasn’t ambitious enough…I wasn’t pretty enough…I wasn’t outgoing enough…I was never enough!

But the truth of God’s word says my identity comes from what HE says about me…what He says about you!

God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made…He says you are chosen and He has a plan and purpose for your life. God says you are a temple of the Holy Spirit. You have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. You have been bought with a price and you belong to Him.

Psalm 139:13-14 – For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;^[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

1 Corinthians 3:16 – Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?;

Ephesians 1:3-8… just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Stop believing the lies that we are what someone says we are – believe the truth that you are what GOD says you are.

And finally, Lie #4 – the devil will try to convince you that your behavior tells you what to believe about yourself.

The truth is that what you believe about yourself will determine your behavior. When you realize this, you can see who you really are…no longer stuck in the lies but choosing to believe the truth.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – “…has given us the ministry of reconciliation…ambassadors for Christ.”

We don’t have to sit back and accept anything…we had DO what Christ has given us to do.

Ephesians 3:12 – “…in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me.”

The Apostle Paul thought of himself as the “least of all the saints,” – talk about a self-esteem issue…yet he didn’t let that keep him from moving forward, doing the work God had given him to do…and with boldness. He may not have been a naturally outgoing guy – but he knew what God said about him, and accomplished it all because he refused to believe the devil’s lies.

How about you?

Instead of saying, “I really screwed up at work, so I must not be smart” – we should say “I screwed up, so I need to admit it and move on, because God has given me the mind of Christ, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Instead of saying, “My kids are struggling right now, I must be an awful parent” – try going with “My family is struggling right now, but I have access to the God of the universe who loves me & my family. He wants the very best for me. He will give me wisdom to know how to pray and what to do or not do for my kids.”

Or, “I was a bully, treated my parents badly, hated my teachers, disobeyed the law so God can’t really love me, I’m such a rotten person.” You don’t have to be that person anymore. Your behavior doesn’t mean that is who you are. Once you start believing the truth about yourself – then you’ll start to see behavior changes.

I used to only try those things that I was comfortable with. I was afraid so I didn’t attempt anything outside my comfort zone. Because I never thought I was enough…I behaved that way. I was told I wasn’t good enough at any sport so, instead of fighting against that opinion, I believed the lie and just went with it. I didn’t push back against the enemy’s schemes…I went along with all the lies. I was nervous and scared of being noticed, I tried to blend in…instead of standing out anywhere. I didn’t want to embarrass myself so I never tried anything new. I went with what was safe…all the time. I allowed my fears to rule my behavior and in the process, I missed out on the excitement of adventure.

It was all a lie. My behavior doesn’t mean that’s really who I am. In reality, my belief about myself will determine my behavior. And I needed to change my belief…I needed to believe what God says about me…and you need to believe what God says about you too!

Read this out loud – so your ears can hear what God says!

I am accepted…therefore I am renewed day by day. I am a friend of God so there is nothing too difficult for me. As a child of God, I have no reason to fear. I always have access to God – what can man possibly do to me?

I am secure…forever free from condemnation, I cannot be separated from God’s love. I am established, anointed and sealed by God.

I am significant…the salt and the light of the world, seated with Christ in heavenly realms, a branch of the true vine. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

You do not have to believe the devil’s lies about who you are…God’s truth is the final authority. Now you need to tell yourself the truth. You can stand up and proclaim that you are accepted, you are secure and you are significant.

Would the real ­­­­YOU please stand up?!